Stackable lid

ABSTRACT

The present invention may be regarded as a stackable container lid for a first container. The stackable container lid includes a raised support surface defined by a support wall. The support wall is supported by a plurality of support ribs. The raised support surface is configured to support a bottom surface of a second container which is the same size and shape as the first container. The stackable container lid also includes a side surface which is complementary shape and slightly larger in size than the rim defining the opening of the first container such that the container lid fits over the opening of the first container. The second container can be stacked on the first container when the lid is on the first container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] (Not Applicable)

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

[0002] (Not Applicable)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates generally to lids, and more particularly to a lid suitable for stacking containers, for example, container candles, for shipping and display purposes.

[0004] Candles come in a variety of shapes and configurations. Many candles are container candles. Such candles come in a container made of a rigid material, such as glass or metal in a geometric configuration, such as round, square, etc.

[0005] In order to protect a container candle, the manufacturer generally supplies a lid or covering of some type. The covering may be decorative and intended to last the life of the container candle, for example, the lid may be made of glass or metal. Because such “permanent” lids are relatively expensive, the lid or cover may be temporary in order to reduce costs. Temporary coverings may include cellophane wrap over the top of the container or a plastic lid molded to fit over the top of the container or inside the container on top of the top surface of the candle. Alternatively, the container candle may not be individually covered, but may instead be shipped in a container, e.g., a box containing multiple container candles. Candles shipped in boxes may be sold boxed or may be unboxed and sold individually.

[0006] It is difficult to package such uncovered container candles to maximize the amount of candles that can be shipped while ensuring that the container candles are not damaged. Typically, container candles can not be stacked and are boxed in boxes that hold a single level of candles. These boxes can then be stacked. Thus, the number of candles in a single box is limited.

[0007] Typically, container candles cannot be stacked for display purposes. Thus, the number of candles that can be displayed is limited.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a container candle having an inexpensive lid that allows the container candles to be stacked for safe shipping. The container candle lid should also be suitable for stacking container candles for display purposes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An aspect of the present invention may be regarded as a stackable container lid for a first container. The stackable container lid includes a raised support surface defined by a support wall. The support wall is supported by a plurality of support ribs. The raised support surface is configured to support a bottom surface of a second container which is the same size and shape as the first container. The stackable container lid also includes a side surface which is complementary shape and slightly larger in size than the rim defining the opening of the first container such that the container lid fits over the opening of the first container. The second container can be stacked on the first container when the lid is on the first container.

[0010] In accordance with other aspects of the invention, the stackable container lid may be manufactured from a transparent or a semi-transparent material. The stackable container lid may be manufactured from a plastic material.

[0011] The shape of the bottom of the container and the complementary raised portion of the stackable container lid may be a geometric shape comprised of straight edges. The shape of the bottom of the container and the complementary raised portion of the stackable container lid may be a square. The support ribs may be in a diagonal relationship with the lid and the raised support surface such that the support ribs about the corners of the raised support surface.

[0012] In accordance with further aspects of the invention, the stackable container lid may include a hole.

[0013] The container may house a candle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] These as well as other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container candle including a stackable container candle lid formed in accordance with the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the candle container lid of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the container candle lid of FIG. 2;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the container candle lid of FIG. 2 taken about a diagonal line of the candle container lid; and

[0019]FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating two containers with stackable lids in a stacked configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container 16 having a stackable lid 10 formed in accordance with the present invention. The container shown in FIG. 1 and described herein houses a candle 12, however, it will be appreciated that the container need not be a candle container. The lid 10 of the present invention allows the containers 16 to be stacked for shipping and display purposes. In exemplary embodiments, the lid 10 of the present invention is made of a transparent or semi-transparent plastic material. The lid may be formed using various known manufacturing methods, for example, the lid 10 may be a vacuum formed plastic.

[0021] The decorative container 16 includes a rim 18 which defines the top opening of the container. The lid 10 is shaped such that the lid fits over the container rim 18 which defines the top opening of the container 12. The lid 10 includes a side surface 22 that allows the perimeter of the lid 10 to fit over the rim 18 of the container.

[0022] The lid 10 of the present invention includes a raised support surface 30 that is defined by a support wall 28. In the embodiment shown, the container is a square container having a square bottom that is smaller than the square top opening. The raise support surface 30 is complementary in size and shape to the bottom surface of the container 16 so that the containers 16 can be stacked or nested as shown in FIG. 5. The lid 10 includes support ribs 26 that support the support wall 28. In the embodiment shown, the support wall is square in shape in order to support the bottom of the container to be stacked on the lid. The support ribs 26 are at diagonals of the lid, such that there is one support rib abutting each corner of the support wall 28. The support ribs 28 provide rigidity and support for the stacking of the containers 12 for shipping and display purposes.

[0023] The container lid 10 is a single piece construction in which the side surface 22 is connected to the raised support surface 30 via a connecting surface 24 having support ribs 26 supporting the support wall 28 that defines the raised support surface.

[0024] The figures illustrated herein show a square shaped lid, however it will be appreciated that other shaped lids can be formed wherein the lid 10 has a raised portion that is complementary to the bottom surface 30 of the container 12 so that the containers 12 can be stacked as shown in FIG. 5.

[0025] Exemplary embodiments of the invention may include a hole (not shown) in the container lid 10. The hole 20 is sufficiently sized and shaped to allow air to reach the candle to prevent damage to the candle due to condensation.

[0026] While an illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container lid configured to fit a first container, the first container comprising a bottom surface having a size and a shape, and a side surface extending upwardly from the bottom surface, the side surface having an upper edge forming a rim defining an opening in the first container, the container lid comprising: a raised support surface defined by a support wall which is supported by a plurality of support ribs, the raised support surface configured to be complementary in size and shape to a bottom surface of a second container the bottom surface of the second container having a size and shape that is the same as the size and shape of the bottom surface of the first container, the raised support surface configured to support the bottom surface of the second container; and a side surface that is complementary in shape and slightly larger in size than the rim defining the opening of the first container such that the container lid fits over the opening of the first container; a connecting surface connecting the side surface to the raised support surface; wherein the second container can be stacked on the first container lid when the first container lid is covering the opening of the first container.
 2. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the container lid is manufactured from a transparent material.
 3. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the container lid is manufactured from a semi-transparent material.
 4. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the container lid is manufactured from a plastic material.
 5. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the shape of the bottom surface of the second container is a geometric shape comprising a plurality of straight edges and a plurality of corners.
 6. The container lid of claim 5, wherein the shape of the bottom surface of the second container is a square.
 7. The container lid of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of support ribs abuts one of the corners of the raised support surface.
 8. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the container lid further comprises a hole configured to allow air to enter into the container.
 9. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the first container and the second container are candle containers. 